The historic moment of the capture of Tarnovo marks the dramatic turning point in Bulgarian national destiny. The capital city, which for centuries symbolized the independence and might of Bulgarian statehood, falls under Ottoman rule, confirming the complete occupation of the Second Bulgarian State.
The previous year of 1393 was already marked by the initial siege and partial destruction of the strategic center. Despite sporadic attempts at resistance, the Ottoman conquerors definitively consolidated their power, putting an end to independent Bulgarian governance.
The subsequent decades were marked by prolonged foreign domination, known as "Turkish slavery" - a period that encompassed extensive cultural and administrative transformations. This historical stage would continue for almost five hundred years, until the landmark year of 1878, when Bulgaria restored its statehood.